Lewis Hamilton hailed McLaren’s strategy after winning a tense Canadian Grand Prix to move two points clear at the top of the drivers’ championship.

The 27-year-old British driver pitted twice and then overturned a 14-second deficit with some ice-cool driving to claim a magnificent victory under immense pressure.

“I think the team did a great job with the pit stops and the strategy,” said Hamilton, who became the seventh different race winner in as many Grands Prix this season.

“I was very, very surprised that I was able to look after the tyres and push at the times I needed to push. I was surprised in the first stint. I knew Fernando [Alonso] was the one to beat. He has generally great pace on long runs.

“I was not able to do one stop, I think I would have fallen back, so I think a two-stop was just right.”

Hamilton crosses the line in Montreal as he becomes the seventh different race winner in as many Grands Prix this season (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes)

“Of course we were aware of that. We went into the race knowing we would be doing two stops and when the guys were behind me I had a feeling that Fernando would be doing one stop. I knew I had to make a gap while looking after the tyres, even though Fernando was picking his pace up. It was one of the best stints I had.”

In an exciting race, Hamilton went from third to first in the final laps, overtaking two-time world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

A late surge from Lotus driver Romain Grosjean and Sauber’s Sergio Perez saw the pair come second and third respectively.

But the race was all about Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel.

Red Bull’s Vettel had started the race in pole position (Getty Images/Red Bull racing)

At first it seemed that McLaren had read the situation wrong but it soon became apparent that the 2008 world champion was going to become the seventh different winner in race number seven of the 2012 season.

Neither Red Bull or Ferrari went for the two-stop strategy that Hamilton’s McLaren believed they would. During the race the British driver asked his pit crew: “Are you sure they’re not doing a one-stop?” His engineer was adamant: “Yes, we’re sure.”

Vettel did make a late second stop but by this point it was too late.

Despite misreading their rivals it was McLaren who had the last laugh after last year’s champion Vettel was passed on lap 62 and then Alonso just two laps later on 64 to see Hamilton drive home for a sensational win in a thrilling climax.

Hamilton is now two points ahead of Vettel in the drivers’ standings (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes)

Hamilton’s McLaren team-mate Jenson Button endured a torrid race, where he had won so sensationally last year, and finished a disappointing 16th. The 32-year-old is now 43 points off the lead in the drivers’ championship.

The next race is the European Grand Prix in Valencia in a fortnight’s time, with only nine points separating the top four drivers – Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel and Mark Webber.